Government revises drought-hit villages list

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Friday revised the list of drought-affected villages, brought out by it, after the model code of conduct enforced for the Athgarh bypoll was lifted.As per the list, 13,701 villages of 135 blocks in 20 districts and 156 wards of 34 urban local bodies (ULBs) have been declared drought-affected. Earlier, the State Government had declared 13,032 villages of 19 districts and 156 wards of 34 ULBs as drought-hit.Announcing this in the Assembly, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Surya Narayan Patro said 31 villages of seven gram panchayats in Banki block of Cuttack district have been declared drought- affected.Besides, after the revised reports were received from districts collectors, 566 and 72 more villages in Boudh and Kalahandi districts have been declared drought-hit.